Improvement in voltaic batteries



R. ARTHUR. Voltaic Ba'ters.O

Patented Dec.15,1874.

mvenun ATTomlEYs,

WHNESSES: f

rzrTEn S'rAf-rns 'rnN'r OFFICE.

ROBERT ARTHUR, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN VLTAIC BATTERIES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent o.;15.7,778, dated December 15, 1874; application tiled October 19, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ROBERT ARTHUR, M. D., of Baltimore city, in the State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Voltaic Batteries; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a side elevation of the perforated cylinder provided with tubes. Figs. 2 and 3 are, respectively, plan and section views of the base or bottom of the outer cylinder, on which the perforated cylinder rests. Fig. 4 represents, in side elevation, a battery of two cells set up or complete.

My invention relates particularly to an improvement in the mechanical construction of the batteries known as Bunsen, or carbon,

with lower end closed, having a groove or depression in its bottom containingmercury; an inner perforated cylinder, B, having one or more tubes attached, and acarbon plate, C, or its equivalent, provided at the upper part with a platina or gold tube, and fragments of zinc in suitable quantity. The cylinder B is composed of some material not affected by acids, and provided with numerous openings, to allow a free circulation of fluids through it. It is furnished with tubes a b, which are permanently attached. One extends above and below "the cylinder; the other is of the same length as the cylinder. The jar A, of larger diameter than the cylinder B, has a de pression or cup-shaped receptacle, c, at one side of the bottom, Figs. 2, 3, and 4, and a broad groove, e, running out at each side. The depression c is so located that when the cylinder B is placed in the jar A the lower part of the tube a will pass into it and below the level ofthe floor orbottom of the jar. The copper or conducting wire passes down this tube and enters the mercury, as shown. The cylinder is of such size relative to the jar that when put into place an annular cell or chamber is formed between their respective outer and inner surfaces or walls for the reception of the zinc fragments Z. The interior of the perforated cylinder furnishes a receptacle for the porous cup employed in such batteries. The carbon O is furnished with a platinum or platinized tube, g. This tube is forced tightly into a hole made in the end of the carbon after it is manufactured.

The object of the devices above described will be more fully understood from the following directions for setting up thebattery: Place the perforated cylinder B in its position in the outer jar, with the lower part of the tube a inserted in the depression c. Pour mercury through the tube a until it fills the depression c underneath it and slightly overflows. Then fill the annular space or chamber formed by and between the cylinderand outer jar A with fragments of amalgamated zinc, taking care that some of the pieces rest in or are in contact with the mercury. The porous cup is then placed in position, and it and the outer cell lled with the appropriate fluids, (well known and not needing description.)

The connections, it will be obvious, are readily made. As the lower open end of the tube a is immersed in the mercury contained in the depression c, it is sealed up from ingress of the batteryfluid. An uninsulated wire may, therefore, be employed as an electrode. If, however, an insulated wire is used, it is not nec- 'essary that the fluids of the battery should be excluded from the tube.

The connection with the carbon is made by simply placing the wire h into the tube g.

In applying the invention or device to a Grove battery the electrode for the tube a is made of heavy copper wire, bending so as to project over the porous cup of the next cell, when a series of cups is required, and soldering the platina to it. f

When it is desired to disconnect the cells of a carbon battery the electrodesA are lifted out of their places. From the construction and arrangement of parts in my battery it is unnecessary to remove the cells from their places, or otherwise disturb them, except at very long intervals, so that the battery is practically perpetual-a result of great importance.

Although the zinc fragments should be amalgamated previous to being placed in the cell, the mercury contained in the cavity e is sufficient (being always in contact with some of them) to keep up a continual amalgamation, and as the zinc is consumed, unlike the case of a suspended plate, the mass sinks down, the contact With the mercury can-never be broken, and as fast as the zinc is consumed it is replaced by fresh quantities placed in the annular receptacle, on the top of the mass of fragments.

The simplicity of the connections is such that there is scarcely a possibility of their getting out of Order, and the readiness with which any cell may be thrown out of a battery, or others added, is for some purposes a very great advantage.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as newl. In a voltaic battery, the inner perforated cylinder, provided with the attached tube a, for containing mercury and for passage of the electrode, as shown and described.

2. In a voltaic battery, the combination of the cylinder B, provided with the tube a, extended below it, and the `jar A, having the groove or cavity in its floor for reception of said tube, as shown and d'escribed.

3. In a voltaic battery, the cylinder B, provided with the attached tube b, for removal of fluid surrounding the porous cup, as shown and described.

ROBERT ARTHUR, M. D.

Witnesses:

THoMAs 1. WELBY, GEO. ARTHUR. 

